BORIS Johnson has told pubs, cafes, nightclubs, bars, restaurants, theatres, leisure centres and gyms to close from tonight to fight the coronavirus outbreak.

The announcement was made during his daily press conference in London.

He told the conference: “The speed of our eventual recovery depends entirely on our collective ability to get on top of the virus now and that means we have to take the next steps on scientific advice.

“And following our plan we are strengthening the measures announced on Monday. We need now to push down further on that curve of transmission between us.

“And so following agreement with all the … devolved administrations, we are collectively telling cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants to close tonight as soon as they reasonably can and not to open tomorrow.

“Though, to be clear, they can continue to provide take out services.

“We’re also telling nightclubs, theatres, cinemas, gyms and leisure centres to close on the same timescale." 

The decision comes on the same day as Scotland's schools closed for the foreseeable future.